Warning of opportunistic car thieves pouncing during cold snap

MOTORISTS are being reminded not to make it easy for thieves as they leave their engines running in the frosty weather to de-ice their cars.

Six vehicles across the region have already been reported as stolen this morning as opportunistic thieves pounced when drivers left their motors unsupervised to warm up their vehicles, South Yorkshire Police has revealed.

Drivers are being urged to take more care in a morning and to plan their journey in a bid to combat the threat of further thefts.

Insp Craig Clifton, of South Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group, said: “It may be tempting to leave your vehicle unattended allowing it to defrost before starting your journey but this makes the car vulnerable to being stolen, particularly with exhaust fumes coming from standing vehicles in the cold weather making these vehicles more identifiable.

“You don’t only run the risk of your vehicle being stolen but you may also lose the right to make an insurance claim because leaving the keys in the ignition could invalidate your insurance.

“Plan your journey with extra time to defrost your vehicle without leaving it unattended.”

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